CJEU

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) is an institution of the European Union (EU).  It is responsible, inter alia, for ensuring that EU law is interpreted and applied in a consistent way in all EU countries.  If a national court is in doubt about the interpretation or validity of an EU law, it can ask the Court for clarification.  The same mechanism can be used to determine whether a national law or practice is compatible with EU law.  The CJEU also resolves legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions, and can take action against EU institutions on behalf of individuals, companies or organisations.

Case Law, CJEU, Collective management, European Union, Exceptions and Limitations, Private copying, Remuneration (equitable), Spain

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In response to a reference from the Spanish Supreme Court, the CJEU held that Article 5(2)(b) of Directive 2001/29/EC must be interpreted as precluding a scheme for fair compensation for private copying like the Spanish system, which is financed from the General State Budget in such a way that it is not possible to ensure that…

Case Law, CJEU, Communication (right of), European Union, Infringement

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The CJEU considered that where the operator of a rehabilitation centre installs television sets at its premises, to which it transmits a broadcast signal thereby enabling patients to view television programmes, and this affects the copyright and related rights of a wide range of interested parties, it must be determined whether such a situation constitutes…

Case Law, CJEU, European Union, Exceptions and Limitations, Jurisdiction, Private copying, Remuneration (equitable)

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In this decision, the CJEU tackled an international jurisdiction issue, since what was essentially under debate in the main proceedings was the applicability of Article 5(3) of Regulation 44/2001 on jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters, which enables, in matters relating to tort, delict or quasi-delict, persons domiciled in one Member State to be sued…

Case Law, CJEU, Communication (right of), European Union, Infringement

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The CJEU has recently ruled on yet another case seeking to determine the meaning of ‘communication to the public’, this time in the context of broadcasting television to patients in a rehabilitation centre (Reha Training Gesellschaft für Sport- und Unfallrehabilitation mbH v Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte (GEMA), C-117/15). Readers will be aware…

AG Opinion, Case Law, CJEU, Communication (right of), Digital Single Market, European Union, Germany, Infringement

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1. Introduction The internet has been a challenge for copyright since its advent two decades ago. Many questions have now been answered. It is surprising, however, that one of the main internet technologies, hyperlinking, is still the subject of hotly debated issues under EU copyright law, which the CJEU has yet to answer. 2. Linking…

AG Opinion, Case Law, CJEU, Communication (right of), Digital Single Market, European Union, Infringement

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On the 7th of April AG Wathelet issued his Opinion in the GS Media case (C-160/15). The case concerned the provision by GS Media of hyperlinks that directed users to Filefactory.com, an Australian data-storage website. Users could then click on the following link, which would open a window that contained the button “DOWNLOAD NOW”. By…

Case Law, CJEU, European Union, Infringement, Remedies, Spain

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IN CASES OF INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, COMPENSATION FOR MORAL DAMAGES IS COMPATIBLE WITH PECUNIARY DAMAGES CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF “HYPOTHETICAL ROYALTIES”.  Judgment of the CJEU of 17 March 2016 in Liffers, C-99/15 BACKGROUND This CJEU decision stems from legal proceedings brought in Spain by Mr. Liffers, the director, screenwriter and producer of…

AG Opinion, Case Law, CJEU, Enforcement, European Union, Germany, Infringement, Injunction, Liability, Remedies

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On 16 March 2016 the CJEU’s Advocate General Szpunar handed down his Opinion in case C-484/14, Mc Fadden. The case concerns the liability of Tobias Mc Fadden, the owner of a business selling lighting and sound systems in Munich. Mr Mc Fadden operates a Wi-Fi hotspot on the business’ premises, deliberately left unprotected by a…

Belgium, Case Law, CJEU, Collective management, European Union, Legislative process, Remuneration (equitable), Reproduction (right of)

(Marx, Van Ranst, Vermeersch & Partners)/ /Leave a comment

Case C‑572/13, HP v. Reprobel, 12 November 2015 By Philippe Laurent and Céline Wulleman, Marx Van Ranst Vermeersch & Partners As we know, Member States may adopt exceptions to the reproduction right of authors in the cases and under the conditions listed in Article 5 of Directive 2001/29. Some of those exceptions may be transposed…

Case Law, CJEU, Communication (right of), Enforcement, European Union, Infringement, Liability, Remedies

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In response to a reference from the Brussels Court of Appeal, the CJEU held that Article 3(1) of Directive 2001/29/EC (the Infosoc Directive) must be interpreted as meaning that a broadcasting organisation does not carry out an act of “communication to the public” when it transmits its programme-carrying signals exclusively to signal distributors without those…